Mail-box.



H. F. WADE.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20. 19H").

mr Mwnl ms c nmuom-umm WASHJNGION. u c

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

H. F- WADE.

MAIL BOX. APPLICATION man FEB. 20. I915.

Patented Dec; 5, 1916. 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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HAROLD F. WADE, OF'OPPORTUNITY, WASHINGTON.

MAIL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedDec. 5, 1916.

Applicatiomfiled February 20,1915. Serial No. 9,622.

To all whom it mag camera:

Be it known that I, HAROLD F. VADE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Opportunity, in the county of Spokane and State ofWashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-BoXes, of which the followmg 1s a specification.

My invention relates to mail boxes and having novel indicating meansassociated therewith and operable simultaneously with the insertion ofthe newspaper so that a person may recognize from a distance whether ornot there are any contents in the receptacle.

Another object of my invention resides in the novel means for mountingthe indicating means whereby the same will be-automatically returned toits normal or closed position when the newspaper or the like is removedfrom the box.

A further object of my invention resides in the provision of a novellyconstructed indicating means preferably in the form of a flag which ismovably associated with the receptacle and so positioned that it will beengaged by the actuating means when the latter is operated.

A still further object of my invention resides in the provision of adevice of the character described that is simple in construction,efficient in operation and one that can be manufactured and placed onthe market at a minimum cost.

Other objects as well asthe nature, characteristic features and scope ofmy invention will be more readily understood from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings andpointed out in the claims forming a part of this specification.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of myinventionshowing-the same in closed position;-Fig. 2 is a verticalsectional view of the same taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and showingespecially the peculiar manner of associating the actuating means withthe retaining means; Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of my inventionshowing the flag in a raised position; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectionalview of the same taken on the line li of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a transversesectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2 in the direction in whichthe arrow points illustrating to advantage the manner in which thepiston is associated with the casing; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary frontelevational view of my invention illustrating to advantage a modifiedform of indicator, in a raised position; Fig. 7 is a front elevationalview of my invention showing another modified form of indicator or flag,this type being especially applicable to a post; Fig, 8 is a'fragmentaryfront elevational view of my invention illustrating a modified formshown in Fig. 7, in an eX- tended position; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sideelevational View of my invention showinga modified form of Fig. 7; andFig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on the line 10-1O of Fig.9 illustrating to advantage the novel means for associating this type offlag with the receptacle.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which similar referencenumerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the differentviews, I provide a receptacle 1 which in this instance is formedpreferably from sheet metal andconsists of a rear or base plate 2 of asubstantially rectangular configuration in plan, said plate havingassociated therewith a semicylindrical section 3, the longitudinal edgesof which are bent upon themselves to provide flanges 4, which extend atsubstantially right angles to the sections 3 so as to be arranged insnug and substantially rigid engagement withthe rear plate 2, thusproviding a substantially semicircular receptacle, the upper end ofwhich is provided with a sloping roof 5. The lower end of the receptacleis open and the extreme lower 5 edge thereof is arranged in spacedrelation with the extreme lower and arcuate edge of the plate 2. Theflanges 4 and the respective side edges of the plate, 2 are provided Iwith openings 6 which receive suitable fastening devices when it isdesired to attach the receptacle to a post or other suitable support.The front surface of the lower edge of the curved section 3 is providedwith a semicircular depression 7 and also '15 provided in thisdepression with a pair of suitably spaced openings 8 which constitute asuitable means for receiving the improved retaining means.

The retaining means which is for the purpose of removably holding anewspaper or other mail matter within the receptacle 2, in this instanceincludes a spring 9 formed preferably from a single piece of wire whichis bent to. assume a U-shaped configuration. The free ends of the Wireare bent so that portions 10 thereof are arranged in abutting relationwith the bottom of a semicircular depression 7 from which points theterminals extend through spaced openings 8 and are bent and arranged inabutting relation with the inner surface of the curved section 3 as at11. The body of the spring is normally arranged in yielding engagementwith the inner surface of the rear plate 2 and is slightly curved, thevertex 12 of which spring being crimped into a substantially U-shapedconfiguration so that the portions continuing therefrom may be engagedabout a newspaper or other mail matter when the latter is insertedtherein and thus facilitating the removable holding of the saidnewspaper in abutting relation with the inner surface of the plate.

In order that a person positioned at a distance from the receptacle mayrecognize that newspapers or other mail matter are contained in thereceptacle, I have constructed my improved indicator which is preferablyin the form of a flag 13. The flag is preferably formed from sheet metaland assumes a rectangular form in contour, one edge of which is slit atcertain intervals and the portions lying between the slits are rolledupon themselves to provide ears 1% which are rigidly mounted about a pin15, the latter being rotatably mounted in the uniformly spaced ears 16formed in a manner similar to the manner of formation of the ears 14: onthe upper slightly extended end of the rear plate 2 at a pointsubstantially, intermediate the side edges thereof. In order to raisethe flag so as to indicate the fact that the receptacle has a package orthe like therein, I provide my improved actuating means; the

actuating means is peculiarly arranged with the receptacle and flag sothat the flag may be raised simultaneously with the insertion ofthenewspaper or the like in the receptacle, and in this instancecomprises essentially a substantially semicircular shaped slide 17 whichis arranged in close relation with the inner sides of the receptacle 1.A vertically extending rod 18 is rigidly mount ed on the upper surfaceof the slide by means of a suitable fastening device 19, the said rodextending through the opening 20 in the roof 5 at a point adjacent theupper edge thereof, said rod terminating in a loop 21 for a purpose tobe hereinafter referred to. A suitable brace 22 is preferably formed integral with the rod adjacent the inner end thereof and extends at asubstantially acute angle to the rod, the free end thereof being rigidlyconnected to the slide adjacent the outer or curved edge thereof bymeans of a suitable fastening device 23. The slide normally rests uponthe curved vertex 12 of the spring 9 and is normally supported thereon.WVhen in this lower position the loop 21 is preferably engageable withthe upper surface of a collar 24: formed integral with the upper surfaceof the roof 5 about the opening. From this arrangement it can 7 bereadily understood that when a newspaper or other package is inserted inthe recep-' tacle and forced upwardly therein, the upper edge of thepaper or like which is shown in dotted lines in the drawings will engagethe under surface of the slide 17 causing the loop 21 to engage theunder surface of the flag 13, which by the way is normally sup ported bythe roof 5, and cause the flag to be raised into a substantially uprightposition so as to enable one to perceive the same from a distance andreadily recognize that the receptacle is filled. It is also thought tobe understood that when the newspaper or other mailing package isremoved from the receptacle, the slide, will, due to the force ofgravity, slide downwardly until it is again 1.10 supported by thespring, during which movement the flag which is slightly inclined towardthe roof will fall and engage the root. In Fig. 6 of the accompanyingdrawings 1 have shown a slightly modified form of in- 11.5 dicatingmeans which is substantially similar to the form heretofore describedwith the exception that the pivot pin 15 is extended laterally from theflag 13 and has rigidly associated therewith another flag 25, of a sizesimilar to the size of the flag 13. By this arrangement it is obviousthat the flag 13 will be practically indistinguishable when the box isattached to a telephone post, not shown; however, it will be readilyappreciated that the laterally extending flag 25 will form a suitablemeans for communicating the fact to a person standing at a distancetherefrom.

In Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive of the accompanying drawings, I have shownanother modified form of flag which is particularly adapted for use whenthe receptacle is attached to a telegraph pole so that the indicatingmeans will be positioned laterally of the pole or post, thus placing thesame in a position where it can be readily seen from a distance. In thisinstance a portion of one of the flanges 4: is slit at uniformly spacedintervals adjacent the section 3 to provide spaced ears 26 in which ispivotally mounted a pivoting pin 27. Rigidly connected to the pin 27 andpositioned between the ears 26 are ears 28, formed integral with theflag 29 by slitting said inner edge and rolling the portions between theslots upon themselves. The upper edge of the flag 29 is curved inwardlyas at 30. Extending laterally from the inner edge of the flag 29 andpreferably formed integral therewith is an extension 31,

the outer edge of which is curved outwardly therefrom as at 32, whichcurvature 32 blends with the curve 30 of the fiag so as to provide anuninterrupted engaging surface for the loop 21. In order to yieldinglyhold the flag 29 in abutting relation with the portion of the curvedsurface of the section 3, I have disposed about the pin 27 a coil spring35, the respective ends of which bear against the adjacent flange 4 andthe outer surface of the flag 29. In actuating the flag 29, it isnecessary that the guiding collar 36 be positioned adjacent the curvededge against which the flag 29 is arranged, the loop 21 and rod 18 beingaccordingly associated with the slide so that when a newspaper or thelike is placed within the receptacle, the slide when actuated,simultaneous with the placing of the newspaper, will cause the loop 21to engage the inner curved surface 30 of the flag 29, and, due to theinclination of this curved surface, the said flag will be swunglaterally about its pivot and from the receptacle, during which movementthe loop at the upper end of the rod will finally engage the curved end32 and remain in removable engagement therewith, thus removably holdingthe flag 29 in a laterally extended position so that it can be readilyperceived from a distance when the receptacle is attached to a telegraphpole. By the arrangement of the spring the flag 29 will be automaticallyreturned to its normal position when the receptacle is emptied.

It is thought from the above description that the operation of thedevice is obvious, however, although I have shown and described thepreferred embodiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood thatI am not to be limited to the exact details shown, great stress beinglaid upon the novel and peculiar cooperation of the retaining, actuatingand indicating means for providing an efficient device of the characterdescribed. Attention is also directed to the fact that the Weight of theslide 17 on the spring 9 when the receptacle is emptied will have atendency to at all times hold the spring in abutting relation with theplate 2, thus providing an efficient means for increasing the durabilityof the spring which is naturally weakened by continual use.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it can easily be seen that I have provided a device that issimple in construction, containing but a few simple parts that can becheaply manufactured and assembled and when assembled can be placed uponthe market and sold at a minmum cost.

It will be understood that the above description and accompanyingdrawings comprehend the general embodiment of my invention and thatvarious minor changes in detail of construction, proportion andarrangement of the parts may be made within the scope of the appendedclaims and without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A mailing receptacle having a closed upper end and an open lower end,retaining means mounted in the lower end for removably holding packagesinsertible in the receptacle, an indicator pivotally mounted on theupper edge of the receptacle and normally arranged over the closed end,and actuating means slidably mounted in the receptacle and positionedbetween the retaining means and the indicator for raising the indicatorsimultaneously with the insertion of a package in the retaining means.

2. A mailing receptacle having a closed upper end and an open lower end,resilient retaining means mounted with the receptacle, an indicatorpivotally mounted on the upper edge of the receptacle and normallyresting on the closed upper end thereof, actuating means slidablymounted in the upper end and normally supported on the retaining meansfor raising the indicator simultaneously with the insertion of a packagewithin the receptacle and for holding the indicating means in anoperative position while a package remains in the retaining means, and

the actuating means owing to its weight being adapted to return to itsnormal position upon the removal of a package to consequently permit ofthe indicator returning to its normal position.

3. A mailing receptacle having a closed upper end and an open lower end,a spring mounted within the receptacle adjacent the lower end, anindicating flag pivotally mounted on the receptacle and normallyarranged over the closed upper end thereof, a slide mounted in thereceptacle and normally resting on the spring, a rod mounted on theslide and slidably' mounted in the closed upper end of the receptacle soas to raise the flag simultaneously with the insertion of a package andmaintain the flag in a raised position and the slide being maintained inposition by a package insertible beneath the spring and adapted toreturn to its lowermost position owing to the Weight thereof andconsequently permit of the return of the flag to its lowermost position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HAROLD F. WADE.

Vitnesses H. N. GARDINER, S. J. OSTROSKI.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

